Extension-table



monomer.

I}. L. MATTB'SON.

EXTENSION TABLE.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- No.40037d1. PatentedApr.2, 1889. a I y a N. PETERS. Phnln-Lithagmpher.Washi n nnnnn c.

(No llodeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. L. MATTE'SON. vEXTENSION TABLE.

No. 400,701. Patented Apr. 2, 1889.

JQHNN NW D. F NN I A II [I 1| J LL er. Wnhingl UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

ELIAS L. MATTESON, OF RANDOLPH, NEV YORK.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 400,701, dated April 2,1889.

Application filed July '7, 1888.

$erial No. 279,325. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIAS L. MATTESON, of Randolph, in the county ofCattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Extension- Tables; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in tables, and more particularlyto that class known as extension-tables.

In extension-tables as 'now commonly constructed the extension-pieceshave been provided with grooves in which' runners were adapted to work,said runners being rigidly secured to the extension-pieces. By suchconstruction the weight of the table-leaves is brought to bear unevenlyupon the runners, and thus cause a twisting strain,which is liable tocause the runners to bind in their tracks or break off. Again,it isevident that where rigidly-secured runners are employed they must beplaced perfectly parallel with their tracks, and the tracks must be madeparallel with the sections, and such tracks or grooves must be ofsufficient size to permit the free passage of the runners. When suchfreedom of movement is provided for the runners, the extension-pieceswill sag more or less, and thus throw the table sections or leavesplaced thereon out of alignment and present a very uneven surface to thetop of the table. \Vere the runners not given a free movement within thegrooves it would be difficult, if not practically impossible, to operatethe device. In order to prevent such sagging and still permit the freemovement of the runners within the extensions is one of the objects ofmy present invention.

A further object is to provide an extension-table with groovedextension-pieces having pivoted runners.

A further object is to so construct the runners relatively to theextension-pieces that the runners will form stops, and thus prevent theeXtension-pieces from being pulled out too far.

A further object is to construct the runners in such a manner that allthe extensionpieces may be moved to the same inward adjustment, and atthe same time provide stops against which the runners may abut when theextension-pieces are moved to their extreme inward adjustment.

\Vith these objects in view my invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and peculiar combinations and arrangements ofparts, as willbe hereinafter set forth, and pointed out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a table,showing the extensionpieces in extended position. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of one of the extension-pieces having a runner pivotedthereto. Fig. 3 is an end view of one set of extension-pieces in theirinward adjustment. Fig. 4 is a side View of the table in extendedposition. Figs.

5 and 6 represent detached parts.

A indicates a table-top, of the usual form of construction, havingsuitable legs, B. Secured to the under side of the table-top A,

preferably within frame-work a, also secured to said top, areextension-pieces O O 0 one set of such pieces being secured within theframe a at each end thereof. The pieces 0 O C are made of wood or anyother suitable material.

Any desired number of extension-pieces maybe used with each set; but inthe drawings three pieces are shown in each set, and for conveniencethis number will be employed in the following description of parts.

The end extension-pieces, O 0 are provided in one face with diverginggrooves 19 b, which resemble saw-kerfs. In fact a saw may be employedfor making these grooves b. The central section, 0, is provided withgrooves b on both faces, both sets of grooves being made divergenttoward the sides of the piece C, as shown in Fig. 3. The grooves bof thesection 0' are preferably made equidistant from the side edges of thesection and parallel therewith throughout their entire length. Thegrooves b of the end sections, 0 0 however, are not made parallel withthe side edges of the sections, but are made on an incline relatively tosaid side edges, for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The end sections, 0 G are each provided on the face containing thegrooves and at one end thereof with a countersunk portion, 0, for thereception of a runner, D, preferably made of metal. The runners arepivoted at or near the center of the countersunk portions 0, and madelarger at one end than at the other, as shown in Fig. I}. The smallerends of the runners are bent at an angle to conform to the angle of oneof the grooves in the section C and adapted to have a free movement insaid groove. The larger ends of the runners are cut to produce tongues0', adapted to bear upon the face of the sections and move in a cut-awayportion, c-, which. communicates with the countersunk portion 0. Theremaining portions or wings of the larger ends of the runners are bentat an angle to conform with and move in av groove in the center section.

The central section, C is also provided with countersunk portions 0 oneach side and at opposite ends for the reception of runners D, similarto those above described, the wings of said runners I) being adapted tomove in the grooves of the sections C By providing countersunk seats forthe runners it will be seen that the sections C C C may be readily slidupon each other without conflict with the runners. As previously stated,the runners D D are pivoted to the extension pieces or sections C andthe end sections, (1 are furnished with grooves in which said runnersmove, which are not parallel with the side edges of the section, but arearranged at an incline relatively to said side edges. By thus pivotingthe run ners, instead of rigidly altixing them to the extension piecesor sections, they may readily adapt themselves to inaccuracies in thegrooves, and thus prevent binding. \Vhen tne extension pieces or secions (1 (1 C are in their extended position, and it is desirous to causethe runners to assume their folded position, it will be perceived thatas the end sections, (3 (i are provided with slanting or inclinedgrooves the central section will be moved slightly downwardly, and thusprevented from making frictional contact with the under face of thetable-top. Such frietional contact will produce a binding action andprevent the free working of the parts. It will also deface the underface of the tabletop. lly providing the end sections with inclinedgrooves and pivoting the runners this serious objection is obviated andthe parts are allowed a free and easy movement.

By constructing and arranging the parts as above set forth sagging ofthe extensions are prevented and are held firmly to theirposition. Thesections may be extended nearer their full length than with previousconstructions of extension-tables. \Vhen the sections C C C areextended, they are prevented from being pulled out too far and thusbecome detached by the abutment of the runners against each other. I11other words, the runners of one section will come into contact with therunner on the opposing face of another seetion. It it be desired toprovide means for the limitation of the inward movement of the sections,small pins (1 will be sccured to the center and one end section and madeto extend across one of the grooves in said section. These pins are soarranged that the smaller ends of the runners will make contact withthem, and as said smaller ends of the runners do not extend quite to theextremity of the sections said sect-ions may be moved inwardly to thesame extent before coming in contact with the pins. By this provisionthe two parts of the table-top are permitted to be brought closelytogether. The tongue 0 on the runners will assist in insuring a firmbearing for the runners on the sections C C 0 Having fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In an extension-table, the combination, with a series ofextension-sections have grooves arranged on an incline relatively to theside edges thereof, and central extensionsections having groovesparallel with their side edges, of runners pivotally secured to theseveral sections and entering the grooves in the next adjacentsections,substantially as set forth.

2. In an extension-table, the combination, with a series ofextension-sections having diverging grooves, the grooves in the endsections being arranged on an incline relatively to the side edges ofthe sections, and the grooves in the central section being parallel withits side edges, of runners pivoted to the sections and adapted to run insaid grooves, substantially as set forth.

3. In an extension-table, the combination, with a series ofextension-sections having grooves arranged on an incline relatively tothe side edges thereof, and central extensionsections having groovesparallel with their side edges, the said sections being recessed atpoints near their meeting ends, of runners pivotally secured within saidrecesses, substantially as set forth.

4. In an extension-table, the combination, with extension-pieces havinglongitudinal grooves, of runners pivoted to said extensionpieces andadapted to work in said grooves, said runners consistingof a platehaving portions at each end thereof bent obliquely to enter the groovesin the sections, and a tongue projecting from one end of the runners andbearing upon the face of the sections to broaden the bearing of saidrunners on the section, substantially as set; forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ELIAS L. MATTESON.

Vv itnesses:

JosEPH E. WEEDEN, FREDERICK LARKIN.

ITO

It is certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 400,701, granted April 2,1889, upon the application of Elias L. Matteson, of Randolph, New York,for an improvement in Ezitension-Tables, an error appears in the printedspecification requiring the following correction,'viz: On page 2, inline 86, the word have should read having; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, oouiitersigned, and sealed this 9th day of April, A. D. 1889.

[SEAL] oYRUs BUSSEY,

Assistant Secretary of the I nterim'. (Jou'ntersigned:

0. E. MITCHELL,

Commissioner of Patents.

